6 month pregnant
At this stage of the gestational period, a woman is full of energy, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, she can even afford a short trip if sufficient comfortable conditions are created. The fetus has grown so much that it almost completely occupies the uterine cavity, and it does not have any space for movement in it. Despite this, the size of the belly at 6 months can vary significantly from woman to woman.
Content:
- What happens in the female body?
- How does the fetus develop?
- Feeling at 6 months
- Possible pregnancy problems at 6 months
- Allocations - norm and pathology
- Visit to the doctor and necessary examinations at 6 months
- Formation of the diet
- Intimate relationship
What happens in the female body?
The height of the uterus at the beginning of the 6th month is 24 cm above the bosom, by the end of the month this distance increases to 29 cm. The fetus at this stage of pregnancy completely fills the uterine cavity, and it has practically no space for free movement. The myometrium of the uterus also actively increases its mass.
The weight of a pregnant woman from this month grows more intensively, increasing, on average, 0.5 kg per week, and from the beginning of pregnancy to the end of 6 months, this increase will be equal to 5-8 kg:
- 800-1000 g - fruit weight;
- 500 g - placenta weight;
- 700-1000 g - weight of amniotic fluid;
- 700-1000 g - weight of the uterus;
- 300-400 g - breast weight;
- 1500-2000 mg - increase in blood volume;
- 500-1000 g - the weight of the extracellular fluid (with edema up to 5-7 kg).
If you were overweight before pregnancy, now you should not starve, because a limited diet will negatively affect the development of the child. When fat stores melt as a result of the diet, toxins enter the blood of the woman and her fetus. Weight gain over 8 kg requires a detailed examination, since it can be a symptom of arterial hypertension, edema, late toxicosis (gestosis), and will become an obstacle for future delivery.
If the blood test showed that the pregnant woman has high blood cholesterol levels, do not worry about this. Cholesterol at this stage of pregnancy contributes to the production of hormones, including progesterone - the main hormone that contributes to its preservation.
How does the fetus develop?
The fetus is similar to a smaller copy of a person, all organs are fully formed, subcutaneous fat begins to form, which helps maintain a constant body temperature. The body length by the beginning of the month is 31 cm, by the end - 36 cm, the weight increases from 400 g to 800 g, that is, it practically doubles. If a baby is born prematurely by the end of 6 months, there is an 85% chance that it will survive. Until he has an undeveloped respiratory system, there is no surfactant in his lungs - a substance that prevents the lungs from collapsing during exhalation.
The fetal brain develops so intensively that the number of its cells and connections between them reaches a maximum. The unborn child has a stable sleep and active wakefulness regime, which he retains during the neonatal period. The movements of the hands and fingers are becoming more and more dexterous, there is a preference for one of the hands, that is, it is possible to predict in advance whether the child will be right-handed or left-handed. He dreams and hears the speech of his parents, reacts to bright light and to the touch of a cold sensor during ultrasound.
The heart rate is up to 160 beats per minute, the heartbeat is well audible with an obstetric stethoscope. On ultrasound, it is noticeable that the child makes movements that imitate breathing. These movements are not able to carry out gas exchange, but they train the lungs, blood vessels and respiratory muscles. At the same time, fetal blood circulation develops, blood flow to the child's cardiovascular system increases.
The reproductive organs of the fetus continue to develop, the girls have a formed vagina, the testicles in the male fetus are lowered into the scrotum.
Feeling at 6 months
In response to an increase in the intensity of fetal movements, the uterus periodically tenses, irregular and painless contractions appear, called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They do not need to be afraid, they are not harbingers of an impending birth. By contracting and relaxing, the uterus prepares for the upcoming labor. There can be up to 10 training contractions per day, they pass independently. When they appear, you need to lie down, it is advisable to remain in a lying position on your side.
If you experience pain during labor, you should see a doctor. Perhaps such sensations are a symptom of increased uterine tone. This condition requires treatment under the guidance of a specialist. The treatment of uterine hypertonicity includes adherence to the regimen, a ban on sexual contacts, the elimination of stress and physical exertion.
Additionally, drugs are prescribed to regulate the tone of the uterus:
- Papaverine,
- No-shpa,
- Magnesium sulfate,
- Ginipral,
- fortified magnesium preparations (Magne B 6, Magvit, Magnefar).
At 6 months of pregnancy, urination becomes much more frequent than usual. This is due to the fact that the pregnant uterus presses on the bladder, it cannot stretch to its usual volume, it overflows. In no case should you endure when the urge to urinate appears, because you can provoke an inflammatory process of the urinary tract.
In general, at 6 months of pregnancy, a woman under the influence of hormones looks great. Her skin is smooth, she has a beautiful pinkish tint due to increased blood circulation in the vessels of the epidermis. The skin of the abdomen does not look like that - it is dry, itching is often felt due to severe stretching, and stretch marks (stretch marks) may appear. To prevent this condition, you should use moisturizers, olive or almond oil.
Possible pregnancy problems at 6 months
There are several symptoms, each of which appears, you should immediately consult a doctor:
- Acute abdominal pain;
- Bloody or bloody vaginal discharge;
- Frequent and painful contractions of the uterus;
- Significant weight gain, accompanied by swelling of the limbs and face;
- Dizziness, vomiting, headache.
In order to determine if a pregnant woman has latent edema during rapid weight gain, daily monitoring of the discharged and secreted fluid is performed. If these volumes are equal, then the reason for the weight gain is the excess amount of calories from food. In this case, the woman is advised to spend fasting days.
During this period of pregnancy, the body of the fetus produces androgens - male sex hormones. If a woman's own androgen levels are above normal due to pathology of the ovaries or adrenal glands, this condition can cause abortion. In this case, a control examination of the hormonal level is carried out at 24-28 weeks. Based on its results, the doctor prescribes a correction with hormonal drugs.
Placental cells produce placental lactogen, which is an insulin antagonist. If a pregnant woman has diabetes mellitus, the action of lactogen leads to high blood and urine sugar levels. If a woman has a predisposition to this disease, and there are patients with diabetes mellitus in the family, it is during this period that the disease begins to develop.
Symptoms of diabetes mellitus:
- Frequent urination
- Heightened feeling of thirst and hunger;
- Dizziness;
- Visual impairment.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of blood and urine tests, glucose tolerance test, and identified symptoms. This condition is dangerous not only for the woman, but also for her unborn child. The baby may be born with increased body weight, with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, with a predisposition to diabetes.
She is also a problem of this period of pregnancy - the development of varicose veins. It manifests itself due to squeezing of the large veins behind it by the uterus, marked by the appearance of vascular "stars". Varicose veins disrupt the outflow of blood from the limbs, provoke blood stagnation and the formation of blood clots. For the prevention of varicose veins, compression hosiery should be worn to prevent stretching of the venous wall. You should put on medical tights in the morning without getting out of bed. If varicose veins have already occurred, you cannot stand or sit for too long, you should change your body position more often, put your legs in an elevated position.
Additionally, as prescribed by a doctor, anti-varicose drugs should be taken:
- Hepatrombin,
- Detralex,
- Escuzan,
- Doxy-hem,
- Gin-comfort.
At the 6th month of pregnancy, a woman may feel problems associated with the work of the digestive system: flatulence, heartburn, constipation. Frequent constipation is dangerous because it provokes the appearance of hemorrhoids - varicose veins of the rectum. To prevent discomfort, it is very important to establish proper nutrition, avoid foods that provoke bloating, include fiber in the diet, and eat often and little by little.
Video about the parameters of fetal development, determined by ultrasound, about choosing a name for a baby, about forming a wardrobe for pregnant women, choosing a bandage:
Allocations - norm and pathology
Under the influence of hormones, in particular estrogen, vaginal discharge increases in volume, becomes more viscous. They do not have an unpleasant odor, the color varies from white to light yellow, sometimes they have a transparent consistency.
The addition of curdled inclusions and a sour smell to the secretions may indicate the activation of the Candida fungus and the onset of thrush. This condition should be definitely treated, as untreated vaginal candidiasis can become the cause of infection of the baby during childbirth.
Abundant transparent discharge indicates leakage of amniotic fluid, which requires immediate medical attention to avoid infection of the fetus. The appearance of bloody discharge can be a symptom of the onset of placental abruption or premature labor, especially if they are accompanied by cramping pains in the lower abdomen.
Visit to the doctor and necessary examinations at 6 months
If before 20 weeks you had to visit your doctor every month, now these visits are planned every 2-3 weeks. Before taking, the pregnant woman takes a urine test.
Required studies at 6 months:
- General blood test for hemoglobin content;
- Biochemical blood test for the study of liver enzymes;
- Analysis for antibodies to the Rh factor (performed in pregnant women with a negative Rh factor);
- Analysis for the content of hormones (carried out with identified deviations);
- Coagulogram - a blood clotting test (performed with an increased risk of varicose veins).
The doctor at the reception measures the woman's weight and height, blood pressure parameters, the height of the fundus of the uterus, listens to the baby's heartbeat.
If the woman has not yet undergone the mandatory ultrasound of the second pregnancy screening, now it needs to be performed this study to identify genetic abnormalities and fetal malformations.
Parameters studied by ultrasound:
- The state of the placenta;
- Amniotic fluid volume;
- Sex of the fetus;
- Study of uteroplacental blood flow.
Timely conduct of all studies will allow, if necessary, to carry out correction and the necessary measures to maintain pregnancy.
Formation of the diet
The main guideline that allows you to form an optimal menu is the quality of products entering the table of a pregnant woman and their balance in the content of nutrients. Every day, the baby's body weight at 6 months of intrauterine development increases by 10-12 g, and the expectant mother should not add more than 500 g per week, 2-3 kg throughout the month. Too fast weight gain increases the risk of complications during childbirth, the appearance of hypertension, prerequisites for the development of diabetes.
A woman should eat often, but little by little, and do not postpone the last meal until late in the evening. It is advisable to have dinner no later than 2-3 hours before bedtime. To prevent edema, you should not overly salt food, eat canned foods, marinades. The correct water regime is very important for the normal well-being of a woman. It is advisable to drink not carbonated drinks that provoke bloating, but mineral water, freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas, fruit drinks, compotes.
To prevent flatulence, you should not eat a lot of legumes, cabbage, rye bread. It is often undesirable to eat sweets, pastries, pastries. To avoid constipation, you need to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. The appearance of heartburn is stopped by introducing jelly, carrot and potato juice, fresh ginger, and oatmeal into the menu.
It is important to consume enough calcium, its source is cheese, cottage cheese, dairy products. If there is not enough calcium, the fetus will receive it from the mother's body, which will negatively affect the condition of the woman's teeth and bones.
Intimate relationship
As in previous periods, at 6 months, sexual contacts are not contraindicated in the absence of pregnancy pathologies:
- Risk of miscarriage;
- Placenta previa;
- Inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system;
- Multiple pregnancy.
Some men painfully perceive the future change in their status, partly they are worried about a peculiar jealousy of the unborn child, the fact that he will now occupy all the thoughts of a woman. It all depends on whether a woman can help her husband to cope with anxiety, to show that the old feelings will not change with the advent of the child.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
